(19)
(11) EP 2 264 801 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
04.05.2011 Bulletin 2011/18

(43) Date of publication A2:
22.12.2010 Bulletin 2010/51

(21) Application number: 10009300.4

(22) Date of filing: 20.07.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H01L 41/09(2006.01)
H01L 41/193(2006.01)
H01L 41/113(2006.01)
F04B 35/04(2006.01)
H01L 41/113(2006.01)
F04B 35/04(2006.01)
 H01L 41/047(2006.01)
H01L 41/26(2006.01)
F04B 35/00(2006.01)
F04B 43/04(2006.01)
F04B 35/00(2006.01)
F04B 43/04(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 20.07.1999 US 144556
10.09.1999 US 153329
25.10.1999 US 161325
09.02.2000 US 181404
08.03.2000 US 187809
27.03.2000 US 192237

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
00959149.6 / 1221180

(71) Applicant: SRI International
Menlo Park, California 94025-3493 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Pelrine, Ronald
    Longmont, CO 80504 (US)
  • Kornbluh, Roy
    Palo Alto, CA 94301 (US)
  • Pei, Qibing
    Fremont CA 94539 (US)
  • Oh, Seajin
    Palo Alto, CA 94303 (US)
  • Joseph, Jose
    Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US)

(74) Representative: Lotze, Rüdiger 
Bayer MaterialScience AG BMS-ADM-LP-PL Building Q 18
51368 Leverkusen
51368 Leverkusen (DE)

   


(54) Electroactive polymers


(57) Electroactive polymers that are pre-strained to improve conversion from electrical to mechanical energy are disclosed. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting a pre-strained polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. The pre-strain improves the mechanical response of an electroactive polymer. Furthermore, actuators including an electroactive polymer and mechanical coupling to convert deflection of the polymer into mechanical work are disclosed. Compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer are also disclosed. Methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers are provided.







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